Cars That Catch Girls' Eyes

Is Your Ride a Chick Magnet? Find out in Motor Trend's Guide to Getting Girls (Written by Actual Girls)

The auto industry is a man's world, one in which office chitchat is a constant, spirited discussion of cars, cars, some sports, and more cars, and Motor Trend would be no different -- except that there is a handful of women on staff as well. Since not all vehicles that excite our male colleagues have the same effect on us, I polled my fellow females and compiled a list of the vehicles we find strikingly sexy, ranging from real-world practical cars to fantasy rides. While in the end, the guy behind the wheel is what ultimately attracts us, driving the right piece of hot metal definitely makes a guy even hotter.

REAL-WORLD PRACTICAL

Not too big, and not too small, the second-generation Tacoma is just the right size, according to associate online editor Karla Sanchez. "It's lean, cut, and muscular in all the right places, with a wide stance, large fender bulges, and upsized wheels and tires, and the sweeping headlamps give it a handsome look. The cabin is comfortable and roomy -- perfect for some alone time."Truck Trend executive editor Allyson Harwood also appreciates the Taco. "I love the Tacoma! A PreRunner Access Cab, maybe with some TRD goodies."

Available in several configurations, the Tacoma suits any type of guy, with three cab sizes, two bed lengths, and an abundance of performance packages. The 159-hp, 2.7-liter, I-4 base model starts at $17,565, but bumping up to a PreRunner or 4x4 gives you a 4.0-liter V-6 with a hefty 236 hp. "The X-Runner however, won't make me look twice," says Sanchez. "Trucks aren't made to slow down over speed bumps."MT Take: "The Toyota pickup was one of the first small trucks (next to the Datsun 1200 pickup) sold in the U.S. and helped popularize that segment in a country accustomed to full-size trucks. Now the new Tacoma keeps the brand's reputation for durability and long-lasting quality, while expanding the model matrix to a wider audience. The new truck proves there is no penalty for buying a reasonably sized, more fuel-efficient truck, especially significant in this time of rising fuel prices. We call that a superior combination and worthy of the mantle of 2005 Motor Trend Truck of the Year."
Land Rover Defender 90
Harwood also chose the iconic Land Rover Defender 90. She thinks it's highly capable, very cool, and uncommon. "It shows that the guy likes driving something that's unique -- he isn't afraid to be different."Land Rover has designed a modern reinterpretation of the iconic four-wheeler. The official concept debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, and seemed to retain some hallmarks of the beloved Defender 90, including its boxy profile, stubby wheelbase, and exposed spare tire.
MT Take: "Since its emergence nearly 60 years ago, the original Land Rover has carved a heroic path through some of the world's remotest regions, and at one time, for 60 percent of the planet's population, a Land Rover was the first motorized vehicle they had seen."
Stock classic SUVs
"I'm talking about those vehicles before the SUV term existed--such as a CJ, FJ40, Land Rover Series I, II, or III, Bronco, or Scout," says Harwood. "If it's running, that means that their owner is willing to put in the work, and they've probably done the research and are a fan of the coolest 'utes out there. Why is this my fantasy pick? Because finding a stock classic SUV is very rare."
Chevrolet Tahoe
"Nothing is sexier than seeing a man who can handle a hunky, full-size SUV," says associate online editor Carol Ngo. "It makes him look manlier." Starting around $37,980, the brawny Tahoe defines masculinity with its utility and versatility. In prince-like fashion, the Tahoe stands ready to save the day. It has an impressive towing capacity of up to 7000 pounds, thanks to a 320-hp, 5.3-liter V-8. Although it roars ruggedly, road and engine noise are muted in the cabin, making it easier to hear all the sweet nothings your guy is whispering in your ear.MT Take: "So it's encouraging that GM can create a vehicle line that moves to the head of its class right out of the gate instead of just blending in with existing offerings, only to be trumped when the other team comes out with something newer. Has GM hit a gusher? Too soon to say. But the Tahoe is exactly what GM needed -- a bigger, stronger, safer, more fuel-efficient sport/utility with a decent interior -- finally."
Honda Accord Coupe
It's no wonder the Accord is one of the best-selling vehicles in the United States. Associate online editor Sheree Yang likes that it's reliable, sleek, and cost-efficient. The coupe variant proves the guy behind the wheel is practical and stable, but still likes to have a little fun, especially if he upgrades to the 271-hp, 3.5-liter V-6. This sporty coupe packs a punch, but does it ever so modestly.MT Take: "The 2008 Honda Accord Coupe is a now bona-fide sport coupe, with the specs to back it up: control-arm front suspension, six-speed manual transmission, and a 268-horsepower V-6 engine capable of churning up lung-searing clouds of tire smoke in seconds. Does it matter that it's the front wheels that are smoking and that it holds five passengers? Nope. Honda's latest coupe is the real deal, no longer a pretender to the cone."
European Cars
"In truth, I can't just pick one vehicle," says Melissa Spiering, online editor of Truck Trend. "European cars with personality catch my eye on the road more than anything. It can be a beat-up 1980s Volvo 240 wagon, the Laguna Seca Blue BMW E46 M3, the round hips of a Porsche 930, the practicality and luxury of the Audi A4 Avant, or just the fun-to-drive MK4 VW GTI. Well-rounded vehicles tend to have well-rounded owners."
Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring AWD
My ideal guy -- my husband -- is low-key and practical," says copy chief Emiliana Sandoval. "He likes to spend his weekends fishing and camping, or tailgating. He's always owned Fords because his dad worked there. But Motor Trend's 2008 SUV of the Year would be a nice step up from his current (old) Escape. It's got plenty of room for all his gear, and available AWD. It has nice lines, it isn't gigantic, and its 3.7-liter V-6 is Ford-based.MT Take: "The qualities that made the CX-9 our SUOTY in 2008 -- smart interior packaging, and actually delivering the "sport" part of SUV, to name a few -- haven't been diminished one bit by time. The CX-9 still delivers an eye-pleasing interior with comfortable trimmings and generous interior space. Drivers will appreciate the well-bolstered seat, which provides ample view of the road (and corners) ahead, pedals that always fall right where you expect, a push-to-downshift, pull-to-upshift manumatic mode, and genuinely fun driving dynamics."
Ram HD 2500 Laramie
"I for one love the meathead-guy pickups," says copy editor Jackie Manfredi. "My favorite is the Ram Heavy Duty 2500 that we had here as a long-termer. I drove it only a few times. It's too big for me, but it's totally a guy's truck. And, yes, I generally check out the driver whenever I see one on the road. As singer Alan Jackson says, 'I met all my wives in traffic jams. You know, there's somethin' women love about a pickup man.'"And this isn't just any pickup. This heavy hauler's 6.7-liter, 350-hp Cummins turbodiesel engine and bulky build is the essence of machismo.MT Take: "The combination of sheer capability and refinement is a big part of why the Ram won Truck of the Year honors for 2010, and the long-termer Ram Truck sent us reflects the best of both of those worlds."
Subaru Outback
Photography editor Julia LaPalme says, "The price, cargo capacity, and EPA numbers show a guy is practical and financially sensible; the AWD indicates he's most likely outdoorsy, or at least up for a little adventure."With four and six-cylinder offerings, this sleek rig is up for all kinds of adventures. The 2.5-liter boxer four can be paired with either a CVT or a new six-speed manual, and with the CVT, it has an impressive 22/29 city/highway EPA mpg.MT Take: "For the first time since any of us can recall, an automaker has claimed the Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year title two years in a row. Last fall, deftly balancing efficiency and size, the all-new 2009 Subaru Forester went home with the Golden Calipers trophy. For 2010, fighting off several tough adversaries -- and undoubtedly some unspoken but very real bias among our judges against repeat winners -- Subaru's new, fourth-generation Outback scored a decisive 10-1 victory in the final voting."

JRS200x, that is exactly the small-mindedness I'm talking about. I have no use for any woman who is only interested in what I drive. That's why, when I meet women, our initial itineraries do not involve getting into my car to drive anywhere. What investment do you have in perpetuating this school of thought among men? are you a golddigger who preys on men insecure about their manhood for material gain? Or are you a salesman at a luxury car dealership who does the same? Desperate, insecure, misguided men good for business?

Awww speedeejay, don't worry. Someday your riced out Civic might attract a woman. Then she may help you develop a sense of humor and/or a sense of belonging.. both of which you sorely lack at this point in time.

This type of narrow-minded stereotyping of men based on what we drive is common among the general female population, but I would expect women who work intimately with a publication for auto enthusiasts to be above the fray.This is disappointing. This article belongs in Maxim Magazine, not Motor Trend.I thought Motor Trend was a haven for like-minded men and women to just talk about cars, not to be prejudged and put into a box.

A tacoma?? if your lady like plumbers.. CX-9?? obvious because its a girls car.. mm outback?? moms car maybe... What girls like.. at least the hot ones... are classics, sports-muscle cars, and big suv and trucks...ohh eco girls like the prius and volt of course

I see that this article was "written by actual girls." Well, boys, as you know, girls come in all different sizes, shapes, abilities, outlooks, perspectives, and colors. Some are tiny and pink; some are rather large and gray. Some are fluffy; some are dense and heavy.Yeah. I'm talking about girls BRAINS. Choose WISELY, or you'll be paying child support and/or alimony for the rest of your freakin' life--if you keep picking young, dumb, little pink girls' brains, that is...

Ah, this list provided a good laugh. I don't think many of my friends would take a second glance at over half of these cars...and how about listing cars that you would actually see a bit more frequently...how many LFAs or R8 GTs do you see roaming around?

This article is so dumb, many women can't even recognize a brand logo, let alone appreciate a classic car. If you pulled up in the LFA they would probably think it was a Ferrari. The article should be one sentence long: Anything exotic looking and/or shiny, also any mustang ever made.

Trying to attract the opposite sex by what you drive might only help if you're actually good looking. Almost 90 percent of the time I see some old woman or fat bald guy driving an exotic car. Driving those cars doesn't exactly make you good looking too lol.

:::FACEPALM:::You'll never catch me driving a car JUST to attract the oposite sex. Pathetic to do so actually. And if you're driving your "fancy car" and she notices the car over you... she's probably no good to begin with.